Indian Court Issues Order to Block Proton Mail: Key Implications for Privacy and Communication
A recent ruling by a court in India has sparked significant debate over the blocking of encrypted email provider Proton Mail across the nation. This decision comes amid concerns surrounding the misuse of the service for sending inappropriate content.
Karnataka High Court Orders Blocking of Proton Mail
On Tuesday, the Karnataka High Court directed the Indian government to initiate the blocking of Proton Mail. This action follows a legal complaint from M Moser Design Associates located in New Delhi. The firm alleged that employees had received emails with obscene content transmitted via Proton Mail.
Details of the Court Hearing
During a live-streamed hearing on YouTube, Justice M Nagaprasanna mandated the government to comply with the order under the Information Technology Act 2008. The firm’s complaint, submitted in January, called for either regulation or complete blocking of Proton Mail in India, citing the email service’s refusal to disclose sender details despite a police complaint.
Government’s Response
Additional Solicitor General Aravind Kamath, representing the Indian government, indicated that while the government has a limited role in this matter, criminal courts could seek necessary information from Swiss authorities concerning the complaint.
Current Status of Proton Mail Block
As of now, the blocking of Proton Mail has not taken immediate effect. TechCrunch verified that Proton Mail’s services remain accessible in India. The company has been contacted for comments regarding the court ruling, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Previous Legal Challenges Faced by Proton Mail
This ruling marks the second time in recent years that Proton Mail has faced legal challenges in India. Last year, the Tamil Nadu police sought to block Proton Mail after it was implicated in sending hoax bomb threats to educational institutions. The Indian government’s IT ministry was reportedly notified to block the service at law enforcement’s request. However, Swiss federal authorities intervened to halt this blocking attempt.
Proton Mail responded at that time by stating, “Blocking access to Proton Mail simply prevents law-abiding citizens from communicating securely and does not stop cybercriminals from using other services, especially if they are located outside of India.”
Looking Forward
In October 2024, the Delhi High Court directed state police and the Indian government’s home ministry to investigate the use of Proton Mail across the country. Kamath assured the Karnataka High Court that he would review the Delhi High Court’s observations regarding the service’s operations in India.
For more detailed information on the implications of this ruling, you can visit the Privacy International website.
